Sunday, September 6, 2009

Earth to Fairfax Newspapers....

When a snapper telephones your news desk at around 12.30 am with a pic they believe may be off interest-having your phones diverted to the security office doesn't quite seem de rigeur for a major newspaper.

But who are we to tell accountants how to run a news organisation ?

Whilst the assembled paparazzi and tabloid photographers waited outside to get the snap of the stars of "A Streetcar Named Desire" at the after show party, the Shuttle swept in and here they are: Cate Blanchett and Joel Edgerton with director Liv Ullmann.

Fortunately the Shuttle's US agent is on hand 24 hours a day and had shifted 12 pics within the hour-even as far as China !

One of the reasons why your 120 year old empire is stumbling is because bean counters don't know how to run newspapers. Perhaps that's why 6 months ago as you let one of your most experienced journalists Annette Sharp sit around twiddling her thumbs when she returned from maternity leave wasting her talent,she was snapped up by the Daily Telegraph'sSydneyConfidential.

Sharp pulled off a major coup this week when major Hollywood box office star Russell Crowe challenged her to a bike ride contest to Bondi complete with cameras and the story has been syndicated to newspapers worldwide.

Sounds like false economy if you won't consider allowing experienced newsmen to call the shots instead of accountants who have presided over a plunge in profits in the last year.

But enough of moi-"A Streetcar Named Desire" is simply amazing and the 2 stars-Blanchett and Edgerton shine. Ullmann's direction is superb. Don't even try to get a seat-it's a sell out. If you want to catch the show you will have to travel to Washington or New York later this year-but book now.

And along tonight to support Blanchett and Edgerton-2 pals building great careers in the USA, the gorgeous Miranda Otto (above) and Rose Byrne withactors Damian Walshe-Howling & Nash Edgerton.